Mommy and Me

This exciting class is for children ages 0-4 along with Mom or Dad or caregiver. This is a great introduction to dancing, music and gymnastics, for children just developing their coordination. The teacher guides the parent/tot team in a way that makes discovering movement, balance and listening skills easy and fun. This class is an excellent first group activity.

Pre-school Dance Program (2.5-5 years old)

Our pre-school dance programs are divided by age.

Pre-Dance (Must be 2.5 years old by September 1st, 2010)
In this 45-minute class, students will learn basic skills in tap and ballet. Creative movement and imaginative play will be highly incorporated into every class session. Students must be potty trained. Students must also be able to participate in class, even though their parent/guardian is not in the studio with them.

Kindercombo (Must be 3 years old by September 1st, 2010)
Kindercombo is a full one-hour combination tap and ballet class. Creative movement and imaginative play will be combined with basic tap and ballet skills for a greater learning experience. Students will also work on listening skills, following directions, and learning to take turns.

Combo I (Must be 4 years old by September 1st, 2010)
Combo I is a tap and ballet combination class with more structure designed for the Pre-K student. In this class, emphasis will be placed more on technique than in the previous levels, while still nurturing the student’s love for imaginative play and creative movement. Students will also expand on their listening skills, coordination, and teamwork.

Combo II (Must be 5 years old by September 1st, 2010)
Combo II is a structured tap and ballet combination class designed for the Kindergarten student. Tap technique will include not only tap steps but also a basic knowledge of music, tempo, and rhythm. Ballet technique will begin to emphasize correct body placement as well as building their ballet skills. Creative movement will still be incorporated throughout each lesson.

Junior Level

Junior- In these energetic 45 minute separate classes, students will learn tap, jazz and ballet. These classes are for dancers who have completed Combo II and are not old enough for the Primary Level. Students will learn the basic techniques necessary for ensuring a sound foundation in dance. Class will include steps and terminology, as well as musicality and rhythm. Their dance vocabulary will be increased. Students will be able to showcase their knowledge in the annual recital.

The Primary Level

Primary Jazz- Dancers will begin to refine their dance techniques and skills in the secondary level. We are now working on increasing flexibility and the placement and control of our hips and shoulders. Dancers should be able to recall terminology from memory and demonstrate with out assistance. Since we are starting to emerge as performers we will also start to improve and focus on our facial performance qualities. We are also expanding into more advanced movement and positions; double rotations, needles, leg holds, splits, leaps, and rotating jumps.

Primary Ballet- Dancers will begin to refine their dance techniques and skills in the secondary level. We are now working on increasing flexibility and the placement and control of our hips and shoulders. Dancers should be able to recall terminology from memory and demonstrate without assistance. Since we are starting to emerge as performers we will also start to improve and focus on our facial performance qualities. We are also expanding into more advanced movement and positions; double rotations, more foot positions, longer combinations at barre, flexibility, and balance.

Primary Tap- This is an hour-long class designed to build a strong foundation for the tap student. Emphasis will be placed on not only learning new tap steps, but also on developing confidence in presentation and performance. Rhythm, musicality, and terminology are highly prominent in each class. Tap vocabulary will be increased to include steps such as drawbacks, riffs, shim sham, and running flaps. Students will be able to showcase their knowledge in the annual recital.

The Secondary Level

Secondary Tap- This class will continue to develop new tap skills while maintaining a solid basic foundation of technique already learned. Students will be expected to retain knowledge from previous levels. This level requires the student to explore the use of the smaller muscles in the feet and body, as well as the larger ones, to articulate the tap sounds and perform them closer to the floor. In general, dancing will take on a new look and form. Tap vocabulary will be increased to include more complex pullbacks, rotations while tapping (such as maxiford turns), and wings. *It is recommended at this level students enroll in a jazz or ballet class to help with overall technique.

Secondary Jazz- Dancers will need to have mastered the skills in the previous levels. It is imperative for their dance training and body that they do so. Dancers are now required to have splits in all positions, memorize combinations and movement and show strong performance abilities. Dancers will be adding the following skills to their repertoire; triple rotations, ponches, développés, tours, axels, leg hold turns, leaping and rolling to the floor, à la secondes/floats, etc. In addition to increased skill levels we will also be introducing different styles of dances (i.e., funk, lyrical, contemporary and modern). *It is recommended at this level students enroll in a ballet class to help with overall technique.

Secondary Ballet- Dancers will need to have mastered the skills in the previous levels. It is imperative for their dance training and body that they do so. Dancers are now required to have splits in all positions, memorize combinations and movement and show strong performance abilities. Dancers will adding the following skills to their repertoire; triple rotations, ponches, développés, tours, leg hold turns, leaping, en dehors and en dedans, work à la secondes/floats etc. In addition to increased skill levels we will also be introducing different styles of dances (i.e., lyrical, contemporary and modern).

The Intermediate Level

Intermediate Ballet- Dancers must have mastered all skills in all of the previous levels. Dancers will be increasing and adding to there previous dance abilities in the following ways; quadruple rotations, multiple à la secondes and finish in different positions, attitude and arabesque turns, illusions, rotating jumps, and partner work. Dancers should be able to combine any of the above technical elements to create more difficult skills, such as à la secondes and pirouettes, and leaps etc. Dancers will focus on combining advanced technical skills with a strong performance style and quality. At the end of each year dancers will have the option to audition to be en pointe.

Intermediate Jazz- Dancers must have mastered all skills in all of the previous levels. Dancers will be increasing and adding to there previous dance abilities in the following ways; quadruple rotations, multiple à la secondes and finish in different positions, attitude and arabesque turns, illusions, leg hold turns, rotating jumps, switch leaps. Dancers should be able to combine any of the above technical elements to create more difficult skills, such as à la secondes and pirouettes, or illusions and tilts, pirouettes and leaps, etc. Dancers will focus on combining advanced technical skills with a strong performance style and quality.

Intermediate Tap- The Intermediate tap student will continue to increase their knowledge and vocabulary in class. Students will be expected to retain knowledge from previous levels. Increased emphasis is placed on expanding tap terminology and its technical execution, presentation, and performance. The student will work on technical proficiency, style, presentation, and integrating other dance areas into tap work. Tap vocabulary will be increased to include such steps as toe pops, pullbacks in combination with other tap steps, and more intricate single-foot work. The serious student should be involved in other areas of dance at this time.

The Advanced Level*

Advanced Tap- Advanced students must be technically proficient, experienced in performance, and quite knowledgeable about themselves and their work. Students will be expected to retain knowledge from previous levels. Good basic tap technique will constantly be required, as well as the ability to learn various new and more complex steps and rhythms. Tap vocabulary will be increased to include different styles of tap as well as choreography. Advanced students may be asked to partake in assistant teacher positions within the studio.

Advanced Jazz- Dancers must have mastered all technical and stylistic requirements in previous levels. Dancers are now able to change positions while rotating, able to base and fly in lifts and partner work, double leg hold turns, multiple jumps into and out of turns etc. Dancers will work in all styles and levels of choreography and technique. Dancers will need to have all body and arm positions memorized and able to perform them. Dancers may also be asked to demonstrate and or assist with choreography. Elite dancers may also be asked to assist with previous levels. Dancers must show confidence and emotion on stage and off.

Advanced Ballet- Dancers must have mastered all technical and stylistic requirements in previous levels. Dancers are now able to change positions while rotating, able to base and fly in lifts and partner work, multiple jumps into and out of turns etc. Dancers will work in all styles and levels of choreography and technique. Dancers will need to have all body and arm positions memorized and able to perform them. Dancers may also be asked to demonstrate and or assist with choreography. Elite dancers may also be asked to assist with previous levels. Dancers must show confidence and emotion on stage and off.

*Dancers must be assessed for placement in this level.

Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop dance classes are available for 3 skill levels. Hip-Hop classes teach students this new urban dance style with instruction by professional hip-hop dancers and choreographers. Placement is based on age and skill level.

The Elementary Level (for new dancers)

The Elementary Level is for dancers between the ages of 6 and 10 who are new to dance. These classes will help dancers learn all the basic steps, technique and correct placement for Ballet, Tap and Jazz.

The Beginning Level (for new dancers)

The Beginning Level is for dancers at least 11 years old or older who are new to dance. These classes will help dancers learn all the basic steps, technique and correct placement for Ballet, Tap and Jazz.

What do the numbers and letters behind class names mean?

The numbers behind a class name indicate the age range. For example, Secondary Tap A is for dancers with 2-3 years of tap experience who are between the ages of 7 and 11. Secondary Tap B is for dancers with 2-3 years of tap experience who are between the ages of 12 and older. The letter indicates age ranges best suited for the class.